Snubbed truck



y 1956 c. HEATER L SNUBBED TRUCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 13, 1950672 j J I/IgflENTORS. a m

y 29, 1956 c. HEATER ETTAL 2,747,519

SNUBBED TRUCK Filed NOV. 13, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS.

2.17 z CZZbari z afifi United States Patent SNUBBED TRUCK Charles L.Heater, Flossmoor, Ill., and Albert F. Seelig, Jr., Lemay, Mo.,assignors to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, 11]., a corporation ofNew Jersey Application November 13, 1950, Serial No. 195,182

11 Claims. (Cl. 105197) This invention relates to railway car trucks,and more particularly to a novel friction damped spring suspension for atruck bolster which extends between the side frames and is adapted tosupport a railway car body.

A primary object of the invention is to devise a simple and economicalresilient support for the ends of the bolster, without the necessity ofutilizing the helical springs which are conventionally employed for thispurpose.

A more specific object of the invention is to support the bolster bymeans of resilient units mounted on the side frames and comprisinglayers of flowable resilient material with spring plates sandwichedtherebetween.

Another object of the invention is to devise resilient bolstersupporting units, such as above described, comprising means forfrictionally damping oscillation of the bolster relative to itssupporting side frames.

A further object of the invention is to devise an arrangement whereinone or more of the resilient pads are compressed against convergingsurfaces on each of a plurality of friction shoes which are thusactuated into frictional engagement with friction surfaces, carriedeither by the frame or by the resilient unit to thereby damp oscillationof the bolster.

Still another object of the invention is to devise an arrangement, suchas above described, wherein the resilient units which support thebolster are afforded maximum capacity within the space limitations of aconventional freight car truck.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following specification andthe accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational view of a freight car truckembodying the invention, portions of the structure being shown invertical section on line 1--1 of Figure 3;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 22 of Figure l with the bolsterremoved;

Figure 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Figure l,

with the bolster and its resilient supporting unit shown in elevation;Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a freight car truckembodying a modification of the invention with portions of the structureshown in section on line 44 of Figure 6;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 4 with the bolsterand top spring plate removed;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 4, with the bolsterand its support means shown in elevation;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a freight car truckembodying still another modification of the invention, with portions ofthe structure in vertical section on line 77 of Figure 9;

" Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 7, 'with thebolster removed;

' Figure 9 is asectional view on line 99 of Figure 7, with portions ofthe structure shown in elevation for the sake ofclarity; and I iceFigure 10 is a sectional view on line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Describing the invention in detail and referring first to the embodimentillustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the novel truck comprises a conventionalside frame 2 having a column 4 adjacent each end thereof partly defininga bolster opening 6 and a window opening 8. It will be understood thatthe structure as shown in Figure l is symmetrical about the line 33, andfor this reason, only one-half of the bolster and its supportingstructure are illustrated.

The frame 2 is provided at the bottom of the bolster opening 6 with aspring seat 10, affording support for a resilient spring unit generallydesignated 12. The unit 12 is adapted to support a bolster generallydesignated 14 which, as best seen in Figure 3, is provided at each sidethereof with inboard and outboard lugs or gibs 16 and 18, affordingslidable interlock in the usual manner with the related side framecolumn 4.

It will be understood that only one end of the bolster 14 is shown inFigure 3 and that the bolster extends across the truck for support atits opposite end (not shown) by a side frame 3 and resilient unit 12,identical with those shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The unit 12 comprises a plurality of spring plates 20 which may beformed of steel or any other suitable material, and between each pair ofplates 20 is sandwiched a plurality of spaced concentric annular pads,designated 22, 24 and 26, respectively. These pads are formed of anyflowable material such as rubber and are spaced from each other toaccommodate flow of material under the load of the bolster 14. It mayalso be noted, as best seen in Figure 1, that the plates 20 beneath thetop plate are provided with breather openings 28, communicating withgrooves 30 (Figure 3) in the seat 10 which are open to the atmosphere toprevent compression of air between the plates 20, under bolster load.The pads 22, 24 and 26 are preferably bonded to the plates 20 to afforda convenient unit for handling during assembly and disassembly of thetruck.

As best seen in Figure 3, when the unit 12 is in assembled position,lugs 32 on the bottom plate 20 project into complementary openings ofthe side frame spring seat 10, and lugs 34 on the top plate 20 projectinto complementary openings in a thick resilient pad 36, formed of anysuitable resilient flowable material, such as rubber, said pad affordinga seat for a spring plate 38, supporting the bolster 14 and havingpositioning lugs 40 recessed in complementary openings in the bottomwall thereof.

I The bolster 14 is provided at each side thereof with a diagonal wall42 sloping upwardly and outwardly toward the related column 4 and havinga crowned surface 44, as best seen in Figure l, seated against asubstantially flat diagonal surface 46 of a friction shoe generallydesignated 48. The shoe 48 is disposed within a recess 49 of the plate38 and is provided on the bottom thereof with a spring seat surface 50,preferably sloping downwardly and outwardly toward the related column 4.The shoe is also provided on its rear or inner surface beneath thesurface 50 with another spring seat surface 52. As best seen in Figure1, the surfaces 50 and 52 converge toward the column 4, and the surfaces46 and 50 diverge toward the column 4, whereby the load of the bolsteron the friction shoe 48 and compression of the pad 36 against thesurfaces 50 and 52, by reason of the bolster load imposed on said pad,urge the shoe 48 into frictional engagement with a wear plate 54,secured in any desired manner as by welding to the column 4.

Referring again to Figure l, the wall 42 is preferably provided with aslot 55 receiving a lug 56 projecting upwardly from the shoe surface 46,and the lug is provided with an opening 58 for reception of a pin orother key means (not shown) adapted to lock the bolster 14 and shoe 48together for convenient handling as a unit during assembly anddisassembly of the truck. It may be noted that the top spring plate 20is provide with a recess '60-on theiedge thereof facing the column4,=wherebyduringcompression of the-unittl2, the-{portion of the frictionshoe 148 011 which the surface 25:2"is formed may move vertically.through said-recess 69.

Referring now to the modification "of :{the invention illustratedinFigures 4 to .6 inclusive, .the parts thereof corresponding to thoseof Figures 1 to .3, areiidentifiedby corresponding numerals, audit isnoted that this modification is substantially identical with theembodiment previously described, except that the wedge surface A4 of.the bolster wall 42 is flat and is disposedat a. greater :angle withrespect to the vertical. Also :the .portionzof the-shoe 48 above itswedge surface 46 .iseliminated, and the portionrof the 581106 on whichthe spring seatsurface 52 is formed :is of :somewhat greater :depth thanin the previou'sly described embodiment, 'so that the :top two plates 20are recessed at 60 to accommodate vertical movement of the shoe 48, withrespect to the bolster supporting resilientiunit 12. V

"Itmay also be noted that in .the modification of Figures 410' 6, theshoe 48 .is provided=at each side thereof with a triangular wedge lug.62 beneath .the surface '50 and received within a complementary recessof the pad'36. This arrangement not only interlocks the shoe 48 andpad36 against irelative movement laterally .of' the truck, but .affordsadditional bearing surface for thepad 36 as the latter is compressed bythe bolster :1410 actuate the shoe 48 into frictional. engagement withthe.liner.54 mounted onthe column 4.

Referring now .to-the embodiment 'ofFigures'7 to .10 inclusive, partsthereof corresponding to those of .the previously described embodimentsare-identified by corresponding numerals. V

ln thegmodification of Figures 7 to '10, each friction plate 54ismounted on a depending end wall 64 of a bolster supporting springplate 66"whi'ch is seated on-the top-plate-20 of; the resilientbolstersupporting unit 12. 'The' plate 66 is provided with beaded fianges tiSat the inboard and outboard sides thereof, said flanges beingconnectedto'the end walls 64 by gussets 70. The plate 66 is providedwith positioning lugs 72=recessed-in--the bottom-Wall of the bolster 14,and the top plate 20 is provided-with positioning lugs 74 received-Withll1 complementary openings'orholesthroughtheplate -66.

In the embodiment of Figures 7 'to 1,0, the -res"ilient unit 12comprises solid pads 76 of 'flowable resilient materialgsuch asrubber,interposed between the spring plates 20 and preferably bondedthereto as 'by'vulcanizing. The center plate 20, as best seen injFigure7, is thicker than the other plates and-is received witlu'n'slots 77 in a pair of rearwardly tapering substantiallytriangularwedge lugs 78 formed .on the rear, surface of each" friction 'shoe 48.

As bes't'seen, in Figure ;the lugs 7 8' of each shoe arereceived Withinopenings or recesses-180' in the 'pads the resilient unit'lzis.compressed,during .vertical;.9 illa- ;tion of {the bolster 14..theibolstennpeningj.

We claim: Eln africtionrsnubhing devicelforiarailway car ick having abolster structure moveable within abolster open compl men ar t h h p 4.in o a ram me er; th s mbinetigen a F93B9ii resilient unit supportingsaid structure from said frame member, said unit including a pluralityof spaced resilient pads of flowable material with spring platessandwiched therebetween, friction surfaces at opposite sides of saidopening, friction shoes engageable with respective surfaces, andoperating means for each shoe comprising at least two angularly relatedsurfaces 9n a resilient pad acting against angularly related surfaces ofthe for thrusting the shoe against the related friction surface.

2. A" friction vdat'nping .unit for 'a railway car truck having abolster within an opening of a frame inemlierg the combination of aresilient member supporting the bolster from the frame member, saidresilient member having a plurality of alternately arranged springplates and resilient pads of material flowable under the load of thebolster, friction surfaces carried by one of the members at oppositesides of the opening, -friction-shoes engageable with respectivesurfaces, and actuating means for each shoe comprising angularly'related surfaces on at least onerof said pads engageab'lewithangularlyrelated surfaces of the shoe for urging it against the-related frictionsurface. r

3. A friction damping device'for a--railway car truck havingabolsterstructuremoveable within a bolster e feningiof a frame unit; thecombination of a resilient-unit supporting the bolster structure fromtheframe unit and comprising a pluralityof vertically spaced resilientpads" of material fiowable under the load of said 'b olster'structure,friction surfaces supported-by one of the units at opposite sides of thebolster opening, :friction shoes-engageable with respective surfaces,and actuating means for each shoe-comprising- -a pairofangularlyreutd'suifaces thereon converging toward the related friction surfaceand engaged by at least one of the padsduring eomp'ression o'f theresilient unit bytheload of saidb "are: Structure. 7

14. -In a friction damping device, a railway car truck having a bolsterstructure moveable within a "bolstfer opening of a frame unit; thecombination of a resilient unit supporting the structure from the frameunit" and comprising amass of resilient materiallflowable finderthefload of the bolster,structure friction surfaces carried by one ofthe units at opposite sides of the b ols ter i s f ict o oe p e b .Withre estiv enrf a r m t n means f ea hsho .gin i is were faces jthereon,converging toward the related friction surface and engaged with saidmass during eam r thereof uuder load of the bolster stpucture. V

, 5 1 a fiio vda nee ig i'f rilyv y. c 'truc having a bolster structurjemov eable within an op g of a frame unit; the combination of aresilien Tp rt n ,said structure: rom said-fr e uni rs a the bolster structurefrom thefframefunit and ;.c amass of fiowable resilient .lilaterialwithQ paced ii plates'interposed between thetop and bottom" or tfriction surfaces supported by one; of the .iunits posite sides ofthdjresilieht miseri s shoes able with respective surfaces eachpofsaidisho a-pairof faces ngageahlegwt th L I toward the related surfacefaH shoes'being receivable within respective. iei g relative movementbetween the shoes and s'aid'on pla't'e,

in response to compression of said resilient unit by the load of saidbolster structure.

7. In a friction snubbing device for a railway car truck having abolster moveable Within an opening of a side frame unit; the combinationof a resilient unit supporting the bolster and comprising a mass offlowable resilient material, friction surfaces carried by one of theunits at opposite sides of the resilient unit, and friction shoescarried by the resilient unit in frictional engagement with respectivesurfaces, said mass affording a force path between the shoes, betweeneach shoe and the bolster structure, and between each shoe and the frameunit.

8. In a friction snubbing device for a railway car truck having abolster structure moveable within a bolster opening of a side frameunit; the combination of a resilient unit supporting the bolsterstructure, friction surfaces disposed in spaced parallel planes carriedby the resilient unit at opposite sides thereof, said unit comprising amass of resilient material flowable under the load of such structure,and friction shoes engageable with respective surfaces and engaged withsaid mass for actua tion thereby upon compression of said resilient unitby the load of said structure.

9. A friction snubbing device for a railway car truck bolster supportedby a resilient unit within a bolster opening of a frame unit, saiddevice comprising friction surfaces carried by one of the units atopposite sides of the resilient unit, friction shoes engageable withrespective surfaces and vertically spaced horizontal layers of flowableresilient material constituting portions of said resilient unit, a pairof angularly related surfaces on each shoe converging toward theassociated friction surface, certain of said layers of flowableresilient material being compressed against said angularly relatedsurfaces on each shoe.

10. In a friction snubbing device for a railway car truck having abolster structure Within a bolster opening of a frame unit; thecombination of a resilient unit supporting a bolster from the frame unitand comprising vertically spaced horizontal layers of resilient flowablematerial, friction surfaces caried by one of the units at opposite sidesof the resilient unit, friction shoes engaged with respective surfaces,angularly related surfaces on each shoe, said angularly related surfacesengaging at least one of said vertically spaced layers wherebyimposition of a load on said bolster structure compresses said layersbetween said shoe surfaces, said structure and said frame unit.

11. In a friction snubbing device for a railway car truck having abolster structure movable within an opening of a side frame unit; thecombination of a resilient unit supporting the structure in the sideframe unit and comprising a mass of flowable resilient material, aportion of said mass being flowable independently of the other portionof said mass, friction surfaces at opposite sides of said resilientunit, friction shoes having wedge engagement with said bolsterstructure, angularly related surfaces on each shoe converging on therelated friction surface, and means on one of said portions engaging thesurfaces on each shoe whereby upon compression of said one portion iturges the shoes into engagement with the related friction surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,430,230 Hine Sept. 26, 1922 2,058,623 Protzeller et al. Oct. 27, 19362,165,375 Heitner July 11, 1939 2,194,792 Herndon Mar. 26, 19402,306,395 Cottrell Dec. 29, 1942 2,306,397 Cottrell Dec. 29, 19422,328,877 Gallagher Sept. 7, 1943 2,365,199 Light Dec. 19, 19442,492,337 Travilla Dec. 27, 1949 2,497,460 Leese Feb. 14, 1950 2,552,668Dath May 15, 1951 2,554,606 Withall May 29, 1951 2,564,091 Baselt Aug.14, 1951 2,567,551 Cottrell Sept. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,127 EnglandApr. 22, 1903 806,357 France Sept. 21, 1936

